Negative Appendectomy Group Research Articles

Diagnostic value of serum signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 1 levels in patients with acute appendicitis.

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical causes of an acute abdomen among patients admitted to the emergency room due to abdominal pain. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis is usually difficult and is made by evaluating the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings together. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 1 as a biomarker for acute appendicitis. A total of 67 adult patients without any comorbidities who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and were clinically diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included in the case group. The patients included in the study were classified into the negative appendectomy group and the acute appendicitis group according to their histopathological final diagnosis. In addition, 48 healthy volunteers without comorbidities were included in the control group. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 1 levels of patients and the control group were measured. According to postoperative histopathological examinations of the patients, 7 (10.4%) patients were diagnosed with negative appendectomy, and 60 (89.6%) patients were diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 1 levels were higher in the patients with acute appendicitis than in negative appendectomy patients (p=0.012). Signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 1 levels were also higher in the case group compared to the control group (p=0.001). The admission signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 1 level was significantly higher in adults with acute appendicitis. The SCUBE1 level is a novel but promising biomarker that aids in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

The Predictive Value of Ultrasound, Alvarado Score, and C-Reactive Protein in Pediatric Appendectomy Outcomes

Aim: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the combined accuracy of appendix diameter, C reactive protein, and Alvarado score in classifying patients with negative appendectomy and acute appendicitis. Material and Methods: This descriptive observational cohort study research was conducted at the Emergency Department of a Training and Research Hospital between November 2017 and April 2019. We included the data of appendicitis cases aged under 18 years in this restrospective study and gathered data on patients’s demographics, preoperative laboratory values, signs, symptoms, and final pathological diagnosis, restrospectively. Then, cases were divided into acute appendicitis or negative appendectomy groups according to formal pathology reports. Results: The final study population consisted of 60 patients; the negative appendectomy rate was 25%. The diagnostic accuracy of the multivariate model`s involving CRP, Alvarado score, and appendix diameter was 93.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% for identifying acute appendicitis (+LR: 14 and -LR: 0.07). Applying the model could have prevented 93.3% of negative appendectomy cases (25% to 1.7%) from undergoing unnecessary surgery in our cohort. Conclusion: In conclusion, CRP, Alvarado score, or appendix diameter should not be used individually to diagnose AA in children. However, combining these variables can increase the accuracy of acute appendicitis diagnosis and may provide a significant reduction in negative appendectomy rates.

Value of neutrophil-to-platelet ratio, immature granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, red blood cell distribution width-to-lymphocyte ratio in differentiating complicated acute appendicitis.

The discovery that medical treatment could be successful in cases with uncomplicated acute appendicitis (UCAA) has revealed the need for successfully differentiating cases with complicated acute appendicitis (CAA). The present study exam-ined the usability of neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR), immature granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, and red blood cell distribution width-to-lymphocyte ratio (RDWLR) in the CAA/UCAA differentiation. A retrospective evaluation was made of patients undergoing appendectomy between January 2019 and December 2020. According to pathological and clinical findings, the patients were divided into negative appendectomy, CAA and UCAA groups. Labo-ratory parameters and associated ratios were evaluated by comparing the groups. The study included 348 patients. Of the patients, 11.2% had CAA, 81.6% had UCAA, and 7.2% had negative appendec-tomy. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (AUC=0.742), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (AUC=0.707), immature granulocyte-to-lym-phocyte ratio (AUC=0.782), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (AUC=0.720), and RDWLR (AUC=0.711) were found significant in the differentiation between complicated and uncomplicated AA. The NPR (AUC=0.789) was found to be significant in the differentiation between positive and negative appendectomy. It was concluded that the immature granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, NPR, monocyte-to-lymphocyte, and RD-WLR, which have not been previously studied in patients with acute appendicitis (AA), could be used to differentiate between com-plicated and uncomplicated AA groups.

Biomarker of urinary 5-HIAA as a valuable predictor of acute appendicitis

BackgroundSerotonin-containing cells are abundantly found in the appendix. Studies have shown that acute appendicitis is likely to be characterized by altered urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), an active serotonin metabolite. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic potential of 5-HIAA as a biomarker for acute appendicitis. MethodThis cross-sectional study enrolled patients referred at the Madani Hospital, with right iliac fossa pain, suspected to having the acute appendicitis. Before the initiation of the basic treatment and surgery, urine samples were obtained from the patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the analysis of 5-HIAA urinary levels. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using SPSS v18. ResultsOf 129 patients included in the study with the mean age of 29 years, 62 (48.1%) were men and 67 (51.9%) were women. Appendectomy was performed in 96 patients, where 81 cases were that of acute appendicitis. The mean levels of 5-HIAA in acute appendicitis group and in the negative appendectomy group was not statistically significant. The sensitivity of the test was 54.3% based on 7.4 ​μmol/L as cut-off %-HIAA value. ConclusionOur study reports that 5-HIAA urine concentration is not a reliable diagnostic marker for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

The Role of Serum Laboratory Biomarkers for Complicated and Uncomplicated Appendicitis in Adolescents.

To investigate if serum biomarkers could differentiate complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis in adolescents. An cross sectional study. Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Alanya, Turkey, between January 2016 and December 2018. Patients operated for acute appendicitis, aged between 10 and 19 years, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided according to the negative appendectomy (group 1), uncomplicated appendicitis (group 2A) and complicated appendicitis (group 2B). White blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), lymphocyte count (LC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distributions width (RDW), C-reactive protein (CRP), and length of hospital stay (LoHS) were analysed by ROC curve, one-way and Mann-Whitney U-tests. There were 277 adolescents (group 1=30, group 2A=205 and group 2B=42). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in WBC, NEU, LYM, NLR, CRP, LoHS. The cut-off values of NLR, WBC, and NEU were 4.1, 10.6x109/L, and 8.17x109/L, respectively for uncomplicated appendicitis, and 7.32, 11.5x109/L, and 10.3x109/L, respectively for complicated appendicitis. The cut off value of CRP was 1.3 mg/dl for complicated appendicitis. Elevated WBC, NEU, CRP and NLR may be considered useful biomarkers in assisting physical examination and other diagnostic methods in distinguishing severity of acute appendicitis. Key Words: Adolescent, Appendicitis, Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, Length of hospital stay.

Are immature granulocytes and derivatives early predictors of acute appendicitis and acute complicated appendicitis in adults?

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the usability of immature granulocyte count (IGC), immature granulocyte percentage (IG%), and IGC to neutrophil ratio (IGC/N ratio), a new inflammatory marker, in both diagnosing acute appendicitis (AA) and differentiation of simple and complicated appendicitis (SA and CA). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 262 adult patients who underwent appendectomy. The patients were histopathologically divided into positive and negative appendectomy groups. The patients in the AA group were also divided into SA and CA subgroups. The demographic and laboratory data of the patients were compared. Results: The mean values of white blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, IGC, IG%, IGC/N, and C-reactive protein (CRP) are the parameters that can be used both to diagnose AA and to differentiate CA from SA. In our study, the ability of IGC to predict AA was found to be greater than that of other parameters. For IGC, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.784, the sensitivity was 98.3% and the specificity was 80%. CRP and IGC/N ratio had the highest specificity predictive values in differentiating CA from SA. For IGC/N, the AUC was 0.702, the sensitivity was 63.9%, and the specificity was 72.3%. Conclusion: IGC is a reliable inflammatory marker in the diagnosis of AA but immature granulocytes and derivatives (IGC, IG%, and IGC/N) cannot be used for predicting CA because of low sensitivity and specificity.

The effect of appendix diameter on perforation in acute appendicitis cases

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the association between appendix diameter and perforation and to show the significance of appendix diameter in acute appendicitis cases. Method: The data of 286 cases who were older than 18 years of age and who were operated in a tertiary hospital between 2017 and 2018 with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis were examined retrospectively. The patients’ ages, genders, pathology results, appendix diameter at abdominal tomography, white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were analyzed. The patients were grouped in three as perforated, non-perforated and negative appendectomy group. Results: Of the 286 patients operated with a diagnosis of AA, 166 (58%) were male, while 122 (42%) were female and average age of the patients was 37±16.79 years. Non-perforated group consisted of 194 patients, while perforated group consisted of 56 patients and negative appendectomy group consisted of 36 patients. Average appendix diameter of the patients was 8.84±3.29 mm, while average WBC value was 13071±3726/mm 3 and average CRP value was 3.44±5.15mg/L. When the patients’ appendix diameters and CRP values were compared, statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.001). Average value of white blood cell was the lowest in negative appendectomy group, while it was the highest in perforated group. There was a statistically significant difference between negative appendectomy group and the other two groups in terms of white blood cell (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the groups in terms of appendix diameter, white blood cell and CRP (p<0.001). Conclusions: Appendix diameter is important in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and detection of perforated appendicitis. Appendix diameter is correlated with white blood cell and CRP.

Delta neutrophil index as an early predictor of acute appendicitis and acute complicated appendicitis in adults

BackgroundThis retrospective study aimed to evaluate the ability of the delta neutrophil index (DNI) to predict histologically normal appendicitis preoperatively and to differentiate between simple and complicated appendicitis.MethodsThe data from 650 patients were divided into positive and negative appendectomy groups (histologically normal appendicitis). The patients in the acute appendicitis group were further sub-divided into simple and complicated appendicitis groups.ResultsThe DNI was significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative appendectomy group (0.4 vs. −0.4, p < 0.001) as well as in the complicated group compared with that in the simple appendicitis group (1.2 vs. 0.3, p < 0.001). The DNI independently predicted a positive appendectomy and an acute complicated appendicitis in multivariate logistic regression analysis [odds ratio (OR) 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.11~6.16), p = 0.028 and odds ratio (OR) 4.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) (2.94~5.80), p < 0.001]. The optimum cut-off for a positive appendectomy and acute complicated appendicitis were 0.2 [area under curve (AUC) 0.709] and 0.6 (AUC 0.727).ConclusionsWe suggest that obtaining a preoperative DNI is a useful parameter to aid in the diagnosis of histologically normal appendicitis and to differentiate between simple and complicated appendicitis.

Evaluation of Platelet Indices and Red Cell Distribution Width as New Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

ABSTRACTBackground: Debate around the value of laboratory tests in establishing the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) still continues. This prospective study aimed to investigate the changes in mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and red cell distribution width (RDW) with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Method: 200 patients who underwent emergency appendectomy were included. According to postoperative histology, patients were divided into three groups: acute non-complicated, acute complicated appendicitis (positive appendicectomy groups), and negative appendectomy group. White blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelets (PLT) count, MPV, PDW, RDW, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared among the groups. Results: One hundred twenty-five (62.5%) patients had non-complicated acute appendicitis, 20 (10%) had complicated acute appendicitis, while 55 (27.5%) had normal appendix. WBC (p <.001), neutrophil (p <.001), NLR (p <.001), PDW (p =.003), and CRP (p =.001) were higher, while lymphocyte (p <.001) and PLT counts (p =.020) were lower in positive appendectomy compared with negative appendectomy patients. MPV levels were insignificantly different across the groups. RDW level was significantly higher in complicated compared with non-complicated acute appendicitis (p =.006); however, no significant difference was found between positive and negative appendectomy groups. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy respectively were 44.83, 100.0, and 72.415% for WBC count, 72.41, 81.82, and 77.115% for neutrophil count, 48.28, 90.91, and 69.595% for PDW, 89.66, 63.64, and 76.65% for CRP. Conclusions: Increased PDW combined with elevated WBC and neutrophil counts maybe used as diagnostic tests in the cases of acute appendicitis, while MPV and RDW levels were not useful diagnostic markers.

Efficacy of the Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers for the Reduction of Negative Appendectomy Rates.

Unnecessary appendectomy can cause complications; ways of reducing negative appendectomy rates (NAR) using biochemical and imaging methods are desirable. We retrospectively examined 640 patients who underwent appendectomy for suspected AA. Patients with histologically confirmed appendicitis were designated the positive appendectomy group (n=565), whereas those with unconfirmed appendicitis were designated the negative appendectomy group (n=75). The positive appendectomy group was subdivided into the non-perforated (n=511) and perforated (n=54) appendectomy groups according to pathology reports. We compared the age, sex, lymphocyte count, neutrophil percentage, pathologic positivity or negativity for appendicitis, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) of the patients. When the perforated, non-perforated, and negative appendectomy groups were compared, the highest CRP level, NLR, and PLR were evident in the perforated appendectomy group (p=0.001), whereas the lowest neutrophil percentage was found in the non-perforated appendectomy group (p=0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified neutrophil percentage, CRP value, and NLR as independent variables and demonstrated that AA could be diagnosed with 88.9% accuracy using the cutoff values determined. In patients with suspected AA, particularly in rural areas with limited access to advanced imaging modalities, the evaluation of neutrophil percentage, CRP level, and NLR, in combination with the findings of a physical examination, may aid diagnosis and reduce NAR.

The Diagnostic Value of D-dimer, Procalcitonin and CRP in Acute Appendicitis

BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of acute abdomen is of great importance. To date, several inflammatory markers have been used for the diagnosis of acute abdominal conditions, including acute appendicitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of D-dimer, Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements in the acute appendicitis.METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between March 1st, 2010 and July 1st, 2011. In this period, seventy-eight patients were operated with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and D-dimer, PCT and CRP levels of the patients were measured. The patients were grouped as phlegmonous appendicitis (Group 1), gangrenous appendicitis (Group 2), perforated appendicitis (Group 3) and negative appendectomy (Group 4) according to the surgical findings and histopathological results.RESULTS: Of 78 patients, 54 (69.2 %) were male and 24 (30.8 %) were female, and the mean age was 25.4 ± 11.1 years (range, 18 to 69 years). 66 (84.6 %) patients had increased leukocyte count (white blood cell count). The PCT values were higher than the upper normal limit in 20 (25.6%) patients, followed by D-dimer in 22 (28.2 %) patients and CRP in 54 (69.2 %) patients. The diagnostic value of leukocyte count and CRP in acute appendicitis was higher than that of the other markers, whereas leukocyte count showed very low specificity. CRP values were higher in perforated appendicitis when compared with the phlegmonous appendicitis (p<0.05). However, PCT and D-dimer showed lower diagnostic values (26% and 31%, respectively).CONCLUSION: An increase in CRP levels alone is not sufficient to make the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, CRP levels may differentiate between phlegmonous appendicitis and perforated appendicitis. Due to their low sensitivity and diagnostic value, PCT and D-dimer are not better markers than CRP for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Appendectomy in pregnancy: evaluation of the risks of a negative appendectomy

Background In pregnant women, a high negative appendectomy (NA) rate often is reported; however, the outcome of pregnancy after a NA is not well studied. Methods Among 1,696 consecutive patients (728 men and 968 women) who underwent an appendectomy at our institution (1996–2005), 87 pregnant women were identified. Postoperative surgical and obstetric outcomes were analyzed based on the final pathologic report of the appendix (normal appendix, inflamed, or perforated). Results The NA rate was significantly higher in pregnant women compared with nonpregnant women (36% vs 14%; P < .05). The fetal demise rate was similar between the NA group and the inflamed group (3% vs 2%; P = NS), and highest (14%) in the perforated group, although this difference did not reach statistical significance ( P = .3). Wound infections were most frequent in the perforated group ( P < .05). Conclusions NA during pregnancy is not free of risk to the fetus. We recommend careful assessment to avoid unnecessary exploration when appendicitis is suspected in pregnant women.

Rate of negative appendectomy in pregnant women in Benin City, Nigeria

This study was an analysis of women diagnosed with acute appendicitis in pregnancy, to appraise the maternal and fetal outcomes and explore the correlations with negative appendectomy. A retrospective study was undertaken at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. The service delivery records of all pregnant women who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis from January 2000 to December 2009 were analyzed. Among 16,173 deliveries, 23 pregnant women were diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The age of the women ranged between 15 and 34 years (median = 26 years), while the majority (65.2%) were nulliparous. The mean gestational age at presentation was 21.1 ± 6.9 weeks with up to 15 (65.2%) patients presenting in the second trimester. Eighteen (78.3%) patients had histopathologically proven appendicitis giving a negative appendectomy rate of 21.7%. Postoperative complications were noted in eight (34.8%) patients. Half of these occurred within the negative appendectomy group. The negative appendectomy group also contributed significantly to the adverse obstetric outcome: preterm labor, 8.7% of 21.7%, preterm delivery, 4.5% of 13.6% and a fetal loss rate of 4.3% of 13%. One maternal death occurred in the group with diseased appendix giving a maternal mortality rate of 4.3%. While a higher index of suspicion among clinicians will ensure earlier diagnosis and improve the associated maternal and fetal prognosis, the need to reduce the negative laparotomy rate is highlighted by the high rate of adverse obstetric outcomes amongst the negative appendectomy group.

Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy

Purpose. Acute appendicitis is one of the most common non-obstetric emergencies during pregnancy and early appendectomy is the usual treatment of choice. Because accurate diagnosis in pregnant women is more challenging due to the combined obstetric symptoms, this study reviewed such cases. Methods. From October 1993 to July 2008,31 pregnant patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis at the National Taiwan University Hospital were identified. Data on their gestational age, symptoms, leukocyte count, abdominal sonography, pathologic diagnosis, and perioperative obstetric events were obtained through a retrospective chart review. Results. Of the 31 patients who underwent appendectomy, 25 had confirmed acute appendicitis by histopathology. The patients were divided into the negative appendectomy (NA) group (n=6) and the positive appendectomy (PA) group (n=25). The median leukocyte count was 14,970/mm^3 in the PA group and 11,695/mm^3 in the NA group (p=0.048). The symptom of right lower quadrant pain was 100% in the NA group (p=0.004). Abdominal sonography had 80% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Among the first, second and third trimesters, diagnostic accuracy was 88.9%, 73.3%, and 85.7%, respectively (average 80.6%). Ten patients were complicated by obstetric events, including fetal death (n=1) and artificial abortion (n=2). Obstetric events were more in the PA group. Conclusions. The diagnostic accuracy of acute appendicitis in pregnant women is comparable to that of the general population. Physical examination and history taking remain important. Early appendectomy prevents complicated conditions. There are more obstetric events in pregnant patients of true appendicitis.

The value of preoperative diagnostic tests in acute appendicitis, retrospective analysis of 196 patients

BackgroundIn this study our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of preoperative laboratory and radiological studies for appendicitis.MethodsThe clinical data of 196 patients who have undergone conventional appendectomy between March 2007 and April 2008 were collected retrospectively. Patients were examined for age, sex, white blood cell count, ultrasonography results, histopathological diagnosis and hospital stay.ResultsNegative appendectomy rate was 17.3% (27% for female, 11.5% for male). White blood cell counts were found to be high in 83% for acute appendicitis group and %61 for negative appendectomy group. There were 66 (34%) patients who had negative USG findings for acute appendicitis. Of these patients, histopathological examination revealed acute appendicitis in 46 patients whereas 20 patients had normal appendix. Hospital stays were 2.79 +/- 1.9 and 2.66 +/- 1.7 days for negative and positive appendicectomies respectively.ConclusionsBesides the improvement of diagnostic tests for acute appendicitis, we could not sufficiently reduce the negative appendectomy rate.

Do not rush into operating and just observe actively if you are not sure about the diagnosis of appendicitis

The aim of this study was to determine whether the admission and active observation of children where the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is uncertain is a safe and effective way to improve the diagnostic accuracy of appendicitis and safely reduce the incidence of negative laparotomies without increasing complications. We performed a retrospective cohort study of children who presented with a complaint of right lower quadrant pain and were hospitalized with a diagnosis of appendicitis or suspected appendicitis from 1 January to 31 December 2007. A total of 569 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 9.5 +/- 3.2 (range 1.1-17) years. The number of patients directly operated on with a diagnosis of appendicitis was 186 (32%) from the total of 575 while 389 patients (68%) were observed in the surgical ward as the examination and/or investigation findings were equivocal. Of the 383 patients admitted for observation, 173 (45%) were operated on with a suspicion of appendicitis after 14.4 +/- 6.7 h while 210 (55%) were discharged after 1.1 +/- 1.2 days as there seemed to have no surgical problem. Our total negative appendectomy rate was 4% (14/350) and total perforation rate was 37.4% (131/350). The patients operated on directly and those operated on after observation were similar, and there was no difference for the preoperative duration of symptom, histopathological diagnosis, postoperative complication rate, postoperative inpatient days and hospital charges. Total hospitalization duration was significantly longer and the hospital charges significantly higher in the negative appendectomy group. Both the features and results and the complication rates and costs of the group operated on after observation were the same as the directly operated on group. However, patients undergoing a negative appendectomy stayed as inpatients longer than only observation patients with higher treatment charges. We could therefore decrease the negative appendectomy rate, the associated cost and duration of hospitalization without causing extra complications if we observe and investigate patients with right lower quadrant pain with a doubtful diagnosis and did not operate on them directly.

Is the use of plain abdominal radiographs (PAR) a necessity for all patients with suspected acute appendicitis in emergency services?

Purpose Almost all patients with suspected appendicitis have plain abdominal radiographies (PAR) at the emergency departments. The aims of this study are to evaluate the ability of PAR to diagnose suspected acute appendicitis in patients and to predict length of hospital stay (LOS). Methods Three blinded radiologists retrospectively and separately reviewed the preoperative PARs of all patients with suspected appendicitis, who underwent surgery in our hospital for 1 year period based on 8 radiologic criteria. The patients were divided into 3 groups [acute appendicitis (group 1), perforated appendicitis (group 2), and negative appendectomy (group 3)] according to their perioperative and pathological findings. The relationship between the presence/absence of the PAR findings and the diagnosis and LOS were analyzed. Results The study consisted of 162 patients (103 men, 63.6%). There were 96 (60.5%), 45 (27.8%), and 19 (11.7%) patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Although there were more men in the study overall (p < 0.001), there were more women in groups 2 and 3 than group 1 (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, respectively). Group 2 had the longest LOS, and Group 3 had the shortest LOS (p < 0.001). The generalized air-fluid level was more commonly observed in group 2 patients (7 of 45) than in group 1 patients (2 of 98) (p < 0.05). The LOS was longer in group 3 when the sentinel loop was present on the PAR (n = 3) (p = 0.017), and in group 2 when the colon cutoff sign was positive (n = 3) on the PAR (p = 0.006). Conclusions Our results suggest that PAR is rarely beneficial in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and in the prediction of LOS. The PAR may not be a necessity for all patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

Clinical Existence of Obstructive Appendicopathy

What are the factors that clinically mimick appendicitis in negative appendectomy patients? A prospective study comparing incidentally histologically normal appendices (n = 42) to negative appendectomy (n = 107) has been performed with regard to the local conditions of the appendix. Sharp angulation, fecalith and lymphoid hyperplasia and the mean luminal resistance of the appendix to water perfusion were significantly higher in the negative appendectomy group (p level 0.01, 0.00, 0.02 and 0.00, respectively). The mean luminal resistance of the appendix to water perfusion was significantly higher in cases of fecalith than in cases where this was absent. This was not found for sharp angulation and lymphoid hyperplasia, but both were significantly related to the existence of fecalith. It is clear that obstruction, especially fecalith, was responsible for the clinical mimicking of appendicitis. Using the term ‘obstructive appendicopathy’ in the normal appendix with obstructive factors is quite relevant.

The effects of centralization in haematology.

<b>Objective:</b> To examine prospectively whether irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other variables—that is, psychiatric profiles, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and clinical features—are associated with negative appendectomy (NA). <b>Design:</b> Longitudinal study. <b>Setting:</b> Inpatient and emergency service in a university-affiliated teaching hospital. <b>Patients:</b> 430 consecutive patients underwent emergent surgery for suspected appendicitis. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Rome-II IBS questionnaire; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; the Short-Form 36 survey; the clinical, pathological and CT findings. <b>Results:</b> The NA group (n = 68, 15.8%) was younger, with female predominance, higher prevalence of Rome-II IBS, higher anxiety/depression scores and lower levels of HRQoL than the positive appendectomy group. The patients with NA tended to have atypical presentations (absence of migration pain/fever/muscle guarding), lower white cell count and percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNC) and lower rate of CT scan usage than the positive group. After multiple logistic regression, IBS (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.14 to 4.24), degree of anxiety (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.49), absence of migrating pain (OR 3.43; 95% CI 1.90 to 5.95)/muscle guarding (OR 3.72; 95% CI 2.07 to 6.70), a lower PMNC percentage (&lt;75%; OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.69 to 5.51) and no CT scan usage (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.26) were found to be the independent factors in predicting NA. <b>Conclusion:</b> Both patient (IBS, anxiety, atypical presentation) and physician (low CT scan usage) factors are the independent determinants predicting NA. Physicians should be cautious before operating on or referring patients with IBS for appendectomy. CT scan should be considered in patients with suspected appendicitis, particularly in those with IBS and atypical clinical presentations.